Process for Isomerizing a Non-Equilibrium Alkylaromatic Feed Mixture and an Aromatic Production Facility

Abstract

One exemplary embodiment can be a process for the isomerization of a non-equilibrium alkylaromatic feed mixture. The process can include contacting the non-equilibrium alkylaromatic feed mixture in a C8 isomerization zone. The C8 isomerization zone may include a first isomerization stage and a second isomerization stage. At the first isomerization stage, at least a portion of the non-equilibrium alkylaromatic feed mixture can be contacted at a first isomerization condition in a liquid phase in the substantial absence of hydrogen to obtain an intermediate stream. At the second isomerization stage, at least part of the intermediate stream and at least a part of a stream rich in at least one naphthene can be contacted at a second isomerization condition to obtain a concentration of at least one alkylaromatic isomer that is higher than a concentration of that at least one alkylaromatic isomer in the non-equilibrium alkylaromatic feed mixture.

1 . An aromatic production facility, comprising: a C8 aromatic isomerization zone receiving a non-equilibrium alkylaromatic feed mixture and receiving a stream rich in at least one naphthene, the C8 aromatic isomerization zone comprising:
 a) a first isomerization stage wherein at least a portion of the non-equilibrium alkylaromatic feed mixture is contacted at a first isomerization condition in a liquid phase in the substantial absence of hydrogen to obtain an intermediate stream; and   b) a second isomerization stage wherein at least a portion of the intermediate stream and at least a portion of the stream rich in at least one naphthene are contacted at a second isomerization condition to obtain a second isomerization stage effluent with a concentration of at least one alkylaromatic isomer that is higher than a concentration of that at least one alkylaromatic isomer in the non-equilibrium alkylaromatic feed mixture.   
     
     
         2 . The aromatic production facility according to  claim 1  further comprising a separation zone providing at least part of the stream rich in at least one naphthene. 
     
     
         3 . The aromatic production facility according to  claim 2  wherein the second isomerization stage effluent is introduced to the separation zone to provide at least part of the stream rich in at least one naphthene. 
     
     
         4 . The aromatic production facility according to  claim 1  further comprising a xylene isomer separation zone providing at least part of the non-equilibrium alkylaromatic feed mixture. 
     
     
         5 . The aromatic production facility according to  claim 2  further comprising a xylene isomer separation zone providing at least part of the non-equilibrium alkylaromatic feed mixture. 
     
     
         6 . The aromatic production facility according to  claim 3  further comprising a xylene isomer separation zone providing at least part of the non-equilibrium alkylaromatic feed mixture.